Apparatus for the treatment of thread



Feb. 5, 1957 Filed Jan. 5, 1955 J. H. GIVENS APPARATUS FOR THE TREATMENT OF THREAD 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Invervtor:

John Harrison Givens, by JZ M His A=t=tor e5.

Feb. 5, 1957 J. H. GIVENS 2,780,347

I APPARATUS FOR THE TREATMENT OF THREAD Filed Jan. 5, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 /5a 20 23 519 .a/ H "2 I m m 34 2/ l6 3/ n. 26 4mm 4/ lnven to John Harrison Givens,

His A=t=to nag.

United States Patent APPARATUS FOR THE TREATMENT OF THREAD John Harrison Givens, Meriden, Coventry, England, as-

signor to Industrial Rayon Corporation, Cleveland, Ohio, a corporation of Delaware Application January 5, 1955, Serial No. 479,958

4 Claims. (Cl. 203-290) This invention relates to an apparatus for the treatment of filaments, fibers, yarns, threads and the like, hereinafter referred to as thread. .In particular, this invention relates to an apparatus on which a continuous or endless length of thread may be processed and treated while being formed and advanced through sequential thread helices.

In the continuous manufacture of artificial or synthetic thread, for example, thread from regenerated cellulose such as viscose rayon thread, it is advantageous to apply various thread treating agents, usually in a liquid form, while the thread is being formed into and advanced through a plurality of sequential helices. In this way the thread is advantageously supported and temporarily stored in a manner which allows for an adequate and uniform treatment to be effected by the various desired treating agents. However, it is necessary that the apparatus which forms the thread into helices and advances it in this form through a plurality of helical turns be adapted to expose the thread in such form to the treatments without causing physical damage thereto, especially when threads of finer deniers are being processed.

Various types of thread supportsfor this purpose are known and have been practiced in the art. They are commonly referred to as thread-advancing, thread-storage devices and are adapted to advance and store lengths of thread in helical form so that they may readily be subjected to processing or treatment with a treating agent, which advantageously may be a fluid or liquid, or by other means. For example, thread may be advanced in a number of advancing helical turns over a pair of rollers which are positioned in a thread-advancing, thread-storage relationship and are known as double roller devices. Or, if desired, thread-advancing, thread-storage reels may also be employed for this purpose. Such reels may be .generally similar to the type disclosed in U. S. Patent No. 2,210,914. The thread, while being advanced in helical form over the thread-advancing device, is subjected to the various processing treatments required in order to produce a finished thread having the desired characteristics.

In machines which are equipped with double rollers for advancing thread it is ordinarily preferable to have a single pair of rollers of substantial length and to apply a number of treating agents in liquid form to the thread while it is advancing along the rollers. It such cases it is usually advantageous to provide means on the rollers for keeping the treating liquid separated in distinct, confined zones on the rollers. In machines equipped with thread-advancing, thread-storage reels it is usual to have a separate reel for each treating agent which may be applied in fluid, liquid or other form, although more than a single treatment may be accomplished on a single reel, if desired. The reels may be arranged in any convenient manner, for example, in an adjacent descending series in an endwise stepped relationship with the thread following a generally vertically descending path as illustrated in U. S. Patent No. 2,225,642 or 2,225,643; or with the reels in an adjacent ascending series with the end of each reel 2,780,347 Patented Feb. 5, .1957

ice

extending beyond the end of the reel beneath it with the thread following a generally vertically ascending path as described in U. S. Patent No. 2,611,924. Each series of generally descending or ascending reels is adapted to handle a single unitary end of thread. Advantageously, in a machine, a plurality of ends of thread may be handled in parallel fashion over a plurality of series of reels comprising a bank.

It is among the objects of this invention to provide improved apparatus for the treatment of thread being advanced through a plurality of sequential thread helices over double roller thread-advancing, thread-storage devices.

According to the present invention an apparatus for the treatment of thread comprises a series of rollers, which advantageously may be cantilever type rollers, in an endwise stepped relationship co-extensive or overlapping for portions of their lengths, with the axis of each roller canted askew at an angle to the axis of the next roller so that each pair of adjacent rollers in the series forms a thread-advancing, thread-storage device and each roller other than the end rollers of the series forms part of two thread-advancing, thread-storage devices.

Preferably, the rollers are arranged in an endwise, stepped relationship so that the thread has a generally downwardly inclined path although they may also be arranged to provide a generally upwardly inclined path for the thread, if desired. Each series of rollers is adapted to handle a single unitary end of thread and, advantageously in a machine, a plurality of ends of thread may be handled in a substantially parallel fashion over :a plurality of series of rollers comprising a bank.

To permit the thread to be treated with different liquid treating agents while traveling on the thread-advancing, thread-storage devices formed by the rollers, the rollers may have integral means for separating and confining liquids thereon to particular desired zones. For example, the rollers may be provided with flanges or, if preferred, with non-Wetting bands of polythene and the like as described in the specification of British Patent No. 645,171.

The axis of each roller will normally lie at an angle which is canted askew to the axes of all the other rollers. For example, if a roller near the middle of the series is disposed with its axis in a given orientation, the rollers on both sides may be arranged with their axes progressively canted to the axis of the middle roller. The axes of the rollers on one side will slope in one direction and the axes of the rollers on the other side will slope in an opposite direction. Ordinarily, the axes of all the rollers are offset parallel to one another. However, if it would be desirable for purposes of stretching or shrinking the yarn, one or more of the rollers in each series may be offset at an angle to an adjacent roller or to adjacent rollers in the same series. The number of rollers employed in any particular series installation will vary with the number of thread-advancing, thread-storage roller devices desired to be used in the thread treating sequence. Generally, at least three rollers are employed. The number of thread-advancing devices formed by the series of rollers will be one less than the total number of rollers employed.

The invention also advantageously includes apparatus for the production of artificial or synthetic threads comprising, in combination, means for forming a thread, a series of rollers, advantageously cantilever rollers, in an endwise stepped relationship and overlapping, with the axis of each roller canted askew at an angle to the axis of the next roller so that each pair of adjacent rollers in the same series forms a thread-advancing, thread-storage device and each roller other than the end rollers of the series forms part of two thread-advancing, thread-storage devices. Also included in the apparatus of the present invention are means for treating the thread with a treating agent which advantageously may be a liquid while the thread is being helically advanced along the threadadvancing, thread-storage devices; means for drying the thread and also integrated means for collecting the treated and dried thread in a finished condition.

Apparatus as described in U. S. Patent No. 2,225,642 or 2,225,643 or in U. S. Patent No. 2,611,924 may conveniently be adapted to form an apparatus in accordance with the present invention by substituting the partly ccxtensive or overlapping rollers of the present invention for the thread-advancing, thread-storage reels. When replacing the reels the rollers may advantageously be of substantially the same diameter as the reels but should have about twice their length.

The invention will be primarily described in connection with an apparatus which is readily adaptable for being employed to continuously treat thread according to the viscose rayon process. However, it is to be understood that this is merely for purposes of convenient illustration and in no sense of limitation since apparatus in accordance with the present invention may readily be likewise employed for continuously processing many types of artificial or synthetic threads in which the formation of thread may be by a wet spinning process or by other desired and suitable methods of spinning or extrusion.

Further advantages will be apparent in the following detailed description and in the accompanying drawing in which. like reference numerals refer to like parts, wherein:

Figure 1 shows, partly in section, a side elevation of an apparatus in accordance with the present invention,

Figure 2 illustrates in greater detail and on an enlarged scale several of the thread-advancing rollers as shown in Figure l, and

Figure 3 is a plan view of the rollers as shown in Figure 2.

With reference to the drawing, a machine for continuously producing artificial or synthetic threads by continuously wet spinning and treating the formed threads while they are advanced through sequential thread helices may advantageously be similar to that illustrated in Figure l. The threads can be of regenerated cellulose, for example, threads produced by the viscose rayon process, or for threads of other desired materials according to other suitable processes. The machine includes a main frame 1 on a base 2 supporting the series of rollers. At the top of the main frame there is a spinning assembly for forming the thread. A pipe 3 supplies viscose or other spining solution from a suitable supply in storage or spin tanks (not shown) to a candle filter 4 and then through a mass tube 5 for extrusion through a spinnerette 6 attached. to the mass tube 5 which is submersed in a coagulating bath 7. A godet 8 or other suitable take-up device such as a thread-advancing, thread-storage reel is mounted above the bath '7 driven through suitable gearing by a shaft 9. The godet 8 withdraws the thread 43 from the coagulating bath 7 in which it is formed. A spinning deck 10 for the convenience of operators may be provided on the machine near the spinning assembly.

The rollers 11, 12, .13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18 and 19 form a single series position in an endwisc stepped relationship below the extruding or spinning assembly which forms the thread. The rollers are carried on shafts, each numbered 26, passing through bearings 21 in the main frame. At the cndot each shaft there is positioned a bevel'gear 22' which meshes with one of the bevel gears 23 on a main. shaft 24. The shaft is mounted in bearings numbered 25, 25 and 2.7, fixed to the main frame 1. The main shaft is driven through bevel gears 28, 29 by an electric motor or other suitable drive means in order, in turn, to drive each of the rollers through their shafts 20. The rollers 12, 13, 14, .15, 15, 1'7 and 18 may be provided with flanges 31 dividing them into two or, if desired, more parts numbered 121: 1217;.13a, 13b; etc., as shown in the drawing. The lowermost roller 19 may be of a shorter length than the other rollers. Above parts 12a, 13a, 14a, 15a, 16a, 17a and 18a are liquid nozzles or jets 33 for supplying desired treating liquids to the thread in helical form. Below each of these enumerated parts on each roller are a plurality of troughs 34 for collecting surplus liquid which is led away through drain tubes 41 and pipes 42, as illustrated in Figure 2, for recovery or recirculation. Any other suitable means may, of course, be employed to discharge liquid from the troughs. A hood or enclosure 35 may advantageously surround the roller part 18a and the roller 19 which form the lowermost thread-advancing, thread-storage device in the series upon which the thread may finally be dried. The roller 19 advantageously has a hollow center for interiorly admitting steam or other heating medium such as hot air by means of concentric pipes 36 and 37. The roller is thereby heated in order to dry the thread, although other drying means for the thread may also be employed, if desired. If desired, one or more of the other rollers also may advantageously be internally or otherwise heated to facilitate applications of hot liquids and the like for treatment of the thread. Beneath the last roller 19 is an integrated cap twister apparatus 39 which may advantageously be employed to collect the finished thread on bobbins While simultaneously imparting a nominal twist thereto.

Each roller has its axis canted askew at an angle to the axes of all the other rollers. Thus, if it is imagined in Figure l of the drawing that the axis of roller 15 is in the plane of the paper, the axis of roller 14 would be canted slightly in an angle behind the plane of the paper and the axes of rollers 13, 12 and 11 would have progressively increasing degrees of cant in the same direction. Generally, the angle at which the axis of any roller is canted to the axis of an adjacent roller is about constant in order that the thread traveling over any thread-advancing, thread-storage device has about the same pitch or degree of helical advance. However, this may be varied to meet desired operating conditions. Similarly, the axes of the rollers 16, 17, 18 and 19 would be progressively increasingly canted in the opposite direction. In. this manner the end of the roller 11 and roller part form a single thread-advancing, threadstorage device. Similarly, the roller parts 121; and 13a form another, and so on through the entire series of rollers as shown in the drawing. The axes of all the rollers in the same series, as mentioned, are generally offset in a parallel relationship although, if it is desired to stretch or relax the yarn at various points on one or more of the thread-advancing, thread-storage devices, one or more of the rolls may be offset with its axis, or their axes, inclined at a suitable offset angle to the axes of the others for this purpose. Although the axis of each roller is positioned at a canted angle to the axes of all the other rollers in the same series, they may all conveniently be driven, a shown, from a suitable shaft bevel gearing. However, if it is desired-or found necessary, each roller may be driven separately, or, if preferred, through a common shaft having one or more universal joints.

Advantageously, a plurality of spinning positions which are continuously forming and supplying a plurality of ends of thread to a plurality ofadjacent series of rollers may be placed side by side in a bank to form a spinning machine which is adapted to simultaneously continuously process the plurality of ends of thread. Also, the apparatus may be incorporated in a two-sided machine having two banks of rollers placed in back to back relationship.

Figure 2 shows, in addition, a supply pipe Him the treating liquid which is fed therefrom to the liquid jets 33 to be applied to the yarn while it is being advanced in helical'form. Figure 3 show-s more clearly the canted askew relationship between the roller axes.

In operation, a spinning solution, for example viscose, is extruded through the spinnerette 6 into the coagulating bath 7 and thread 43, formed in the bath, is Withdrawn from. the bath over the godet 8 onto the uppermost roller 11. The thread 43 is formed into a helix on the threadadvancing, thread-storage device formed by roller 11 and co-extensive roller part 12a, and it is helically advanced over the uppermost pair of rollers. While in the form of a helix, the thread is treated with a treating agent which advantageously may be a liquid supplied through the liquid tube or jet 33. The circumferential ridge or flange 31, or other desired liquid separating device such as a polyethylene band on the rollers, prevents surplus or excess treating liquid from passing along the roller to part 12b which forms part of the next thread-advancing, thread-storage device. Excess liquid is conveniently collected by a trough 34 positioned under the lower roller of each device. When the thread reaches the end of roller 11 it passes onto roller part 12b and is similarly formed into a helix and advanced in helical turns along the thread-advancing, thread-storage device formed by co-extensive roller parts 12b and 13a. The thread is formed into and advanced through sequential helices in like manner along all of the succeeding rollers. It may readily be continuously processed and treated with desired treating agents while in helical form on the rollers. As mentioned, the roller part 18b and the roller 19 advantageously form a drying device which, if desired, may be contained in an enclosure 35. It may be found advantageous in some instances for these roller parts to be tapered to allow for shrinkage of the thread during drying. Steam or other suitable heating media circulated through the interior of the roller 19, which may be hollow for the purpose, by means of pipes 36 and 37 heats the roller 19 to dry the thread. The dried and finished thread, in a commercially acceptable condition, is then collected on the integrated cap twister apparatus 30, or on other take-up means such as a ring twister or a headless package forming collecting device.

The treating liquids may be applied in any desired sequence for producing a finished thread which will exhibit the desired characteristics. For example, in the viscose rayon process, a dilute acid solution may be applied to the thread being advanced in helical form over the first thread-advancing, thread-storage device formed by the uppermost pair of rollers; a warm water wash to the second; an aqueous desulfurizing solution to the third; a water wash to the fourth; a bleaching solution to the fifth; a water wash to the sixth; and an oil emulsion for finishing or lubricating the thread to the seventh prior to drying the thread over the thread-advancing, threadstorage device formed by the lowermost pair of rollers. If desired, the treatment may be varied in any suitable and necessary manner to produce threads of desired characteristics.

Any desired number of rollers from three upwards may be employed to form the number of thread-advancing, thread-storage devices which may be desired or necessary. This, of course, is determined by the number and type of treatments to which the thread is to be subjected and also in their manner of application. Also, if desired, thread-advancing, thread-storage devices in accordance with the present invention may be combined in any desired helix forming and thread treating sequence or combination.

As mentioned, apparatus in accordance with the present invention may be used in the production of various artificial and synthetic threads. In addition, such apparatus may also be advantageously employed for the liquid treatment of natural threads or in further treatment of various types of artificial or synthetic threads. Apparatus in accordance with the present invention is particularly advantageously suited for the manufacture by continuous process of artificial or synthetic threads of fine denier.

Since certain changes in practicing the invention may readily be made without substantially departing from its spirit or scope, it: is to be understood that the foregoing description, in its entirety, is to be interpreted as merely illustrative and in no sense or manner limiting of the invention as particularly pointed out and defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

An apparatus for the continuous advance of thread and the like comprising a series of rollers for advancing thread in helical form during processing positioned in overlapping endwise stepped relation; the axis of each roller being at an angle to the axis of the next succeeding roller in said series so that each successive pair form a thread-advancing device; and means for driving said rollers.

2. An apparatus for continuously advancing thread and the like through a plurality of sequential helices comprising; a plurality of rollers positioned in series in an endwise stepped relation; each of said ro'llers overlapping a portion of each succeeding roller in said series; each of said rollers being positioned with its axis offset and askew relative to the axis of each adjacent roller; each of said rollers in the series forming with the overlapping portion of each succeeding roller a thread-advancing, threadstorage device; and means for driving said rollers.

3. An apparatus for advancing continuous lengths of thread and the like through a plurality of sequential thread helices comprising; a plurality of cantilever rollers positioned in :a series in an endwise stepped relationship; each of said rollers overlapping a portion of the succeeding rollers of said series and the axis of each roller being ofiset and canted askew to the axis of each succeeding roller so that the overlapping portions form a threadadvancing, thread-storage device; and means for driving said rollers.

4. An apparatus for advancing continuous lengths of thread and the like through a plurality of sequential thread helices during processing of said thread comprising; a plurality of rollers positioned in a series in a generally vertically descending endwise stepped relationship, each of said rollers excepting the last roller in said series overlapping a portion of the next roller in said series immediately succeeding and therebeneath and the axis of each roller being offset and canted askew to the axis of each succeeding roller so that a thread-advancing, threadstorage device is formed by the overlapping portions except the last roller; an additional roller positioned offset and askew to said last roller forming a thread-advancing, thread-storage device; means for heating at least one of said rollers; and means for driving said rollers.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,254,251 Uytenbogaart Sept. 2, 1941 2,346,696 Moritz Apr. 18, 1944 2,611,924 McLellan Sept. 30, 1952 

